The Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District (PPHTD) Market Study, prepared by The Bridges Group International and Bujanda & Allen LLC, provides a comprehensive analysis of Louisiana’s freight network, trade flows, and port competitiveness at the mouth of the Mississippi River. The study confirms PPHTD’s strategic role as a multimodal hub linking Canada, the U.S. Midwest, and Mexico, with access to more than 20 states via barge, rail, and highway systems.

Spanning 1,691 acres and 81 miles of deep-draft channel, the port handles agribulk, drybulk, liquid-bulk, breakbulk, and containerized cargo while serving as a key logistics base for offshore energy operations. The report details Louisiana’s freight mix—pipelines moving 35 percent of goods, trucks 28 percent, waterways 25 percent, and rail 9 percent—and forecasts a 60 percent increase in statewide freight movement by 2050.

Competitive benchmarking places Plaquemines alongside major Gulf ports such as Houston, Freeport, New Orleans, and Mobile, highlighting advantages in cost efficiency, navigational depth, and expansion potential. Long-term forecasts project continued growth in drybulk, agribulk, and liquid energy exports, as well as increased container throughput supported by marine highway and rail investments.

The study supports ongoing initiatives under the Louisiana Gateway Port Master Plan, positioning Plaquemines as a cornerstone of Louisiana’s $29 billion capital improvement program and a leader in sustainable, high-capacity trade infrastructure for the next three decades.